ExtReme '69 GTO by Speedtech

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Thanks Dan and Berd!



Mike- Yes, they are Speedtech headers. The frame rails are fairly tight on the ExtReme frames to get that 30 degree steering angle goal with tucking 315 tires so we developed a header that we knew would fit well and give great ground clearance too. We have not tested any other brands to see if something else would fit. I asked Jeremy if he could weigh it when he gets it all buttoned up. This car has a blower, a hefty intake with intercooler, coolant tanks, a roll cage, etc, so he said to expect it to be a little heavier than a more simple build.

[Ben@SpeedTech]

More pics of chassis and exhaust detail, front suspension here. Note things like the tie down hooks for trailering and splined sway bars are standard on ExtReme frames. This customer chose to run 295-30-19s up front, although the suspension is designed to accept 315s. Everything about this frame is designed to be the missing link between street cruiser and race track thrasher. One thing I think is cool is the inclination angle on the front shocks is more effective allowing for a lighter rate spring to achieve heavier rate handling characteristics. Headers are designed to play nice with this super low stance. The spindle was redesigned to have even better geometry for even better handling than our current AFX spindle. Any questions or comments feel free to post 'em up!

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Mid section here. As mentioned this car has 3" exhaust that tucks nicely parallel to the Torque Arm. We considered a triangulated 4 link for the A body cars when this chassis was in development mostly because that's what everyone was used to. That idea quickly got axed to run our Torque Arm instead, there's so many advantages to this system it just didn't make sense to run a 4 link. If you've never experienced how smooth and predictable our torque arm is, next time you're at an event ask a Speedtech equipped car's owner for a ride along.

[Nicks67GTO]

Mid section here. As mentioned this car has 3" exhaust that tucks nicely parallel to the Torque Arm. We considered a triangulated 4 link for the A body cars when this chassis was in development mostly because that's what everyone was used to for these cars. That idea quickly got axed to run our Torque Arm instead, there's so many advantages to this system it just didn't make sense to run a 4 link. If you've never experienced how smooth and predictable our torque arm is, next time you're at an event ask a Speedtech equipped car's owner for a ride along.

Have you guys considered a TQ arm and watts package for A body guys running stock frames? Based on conversations I've had with other A body guys, I think it would be a big hit. Chassisworks has started making one now

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Rear suspension. One of the biggest challenges with any lowered Pro Touring car is exhaust clearance, some rear suspensions make it more difficult than others. Our Torque Arm with it's panhard bar is tight too, but still allows ample room for a 3" system. We don't have a specific exhaust kit available, we usually buy a SW mandrel bent stainless universal builder kit and custom fit it to the car. Dutchman preps our 9" axles including welding on all Torque Arm brackets.

Unique to Speedtech are our 2-peice "Articulink" lower trailing arms that use components machined from billet steel to allow the arms to rotate with suspension articulation. This really makes for smooth transitions as you throw the car back and forth in the curves and over bumps in the road. Note that the arms have multiple mount position options as do the shocks so that you can maximize performance with your desired ride height. That billet lower shock mount can be flipped for a 1 1/2" difference in ride height without adjusting the shock at all. This suspension works so well a rear sway bar isn't typically necessary unless you're running a LARGE front sway bar for racing and the rear bar is needed to balance and reduce understeer. We like to use Rick's Tanks for our builds, they come with the extra clearance of notched corners and pretty much any fuel pump requirement provisions.

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Nick- Good question. You never know what the future holds, ;). It's nice to know that folks are starting to get on board with the Torque Arm, something we've been promoting on Leaf Spring cars since the beginning. My car is a 4 link G body and I was excited about the huge difference I felt on the autoX by simply swapping from another brand solid rear control arms to the Speedtech Articulink arms. Now after having driven a few of these Torque Arm equipped cars and feeling how they're even smoother and predictable than what I have, I wish G body Torque Arms were on the to do list too!

For now, we're more focused on the total transformation of having superior front and rear matched suspension packages through this complete redesign of theory and geometry in the ExtReme products. We recently released the Tri 5 ExtReme chassis and look forward to some classic shoe boxes soon to be kicking some Camaro booty. We have several ExtReme cars in the line up for R&D, the earlier Chevelle/ A body like yours is in development as we speak. We're also working 50's Chevy and Ford Trucks right now and then 3rd Gen Camaros. Possibly doing a square body Chevy truck frame and Impalas are bringing up the rear of the list. We'd rather get it right the first time and give you guys the best bang for the buck so it takes a while to get these perfected and on the market for each application.

We've talked in design meetings about doing some other conversion ideas for factory frames, but for now they may have to wait till after the ExtReme product line is available for most applications.

[Gil]

Killer work ! Badass... Just awesome !
I just love it...
(think I said it already)
Gil

[berdunord]

about ground clearence, with that ride height what is the lowest part of the car ?

[Ben@SpeedTech]

about ground clearence, with that ride height what is the lowest part of the car ?

The frame rail near the front tire has about 4.5" of clearance. The front fender roughly 6.5", rear frame rail roughly 5.5" and the rear rocker in front of the rear tire roughly 7.5". Lowest point on the exhaust is the collectors at 3.5".

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Final pics before it heads home. There is still some work to be done, including the hood tach which is off getting re-faced to match the interior gauges and some of the interior work which will get done at the upholstery shop down in Vegas. It's been a great project to work on and turned out just beautiful. Enjoy!

[Ben@SpeedTech]

[Ben@SpeedTech]

[Ben@SpeedTech]

[ekmxryda]

Very nice, I love how low it sits now!

[berdunord]

ok thx Ben ! this is reallay a nice car, congrats to the owner and the work you have done !

[elcamino80]

Very nice car indeed!

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Thanks fellas!